Game apparatus



J. MORRISON 2,103,167

Dec. 21, 1937.

GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1936 1 A-iToRNzYs Patented Dec. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

Ihe invention relates to a game apparatus and more especially to an apparatus for the playing of miniature basketball.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character,,

wherein through the use of spherical objects such as balls placed in motion a miniature of basketball playing may be effected, there being required skill in the throwing of the ball for effecting the winning of the game, the apparatus being of novel construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein the construction thereof renders it attractive,

afiording amusement and entertainment when playing the miniature game of basketball.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in operation, neat in appearance, readily portable so that the game of basketball can be played indoors within a room of a dwelling house or outdoors upon a lawn, requiring skill for the winning of the game played thereby, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the appa-- ratus comprises a casing A involving a bottom Ill, glass paneled front wall ll, side walls I2 45 and a top wall l3, respectively, the side walls l2 may be solid and devoid of glass paneling and a solid back wall l4, these walls being joined with each other and the side, front and back walls joined with the bottom in any desir- 50 able manner to provide an enclosure or playing space [5 interiorly of the casing. It is preferable to have the bottom I0 forwardly extended to provide a ledge or shelf IS in which is arranged a shooter involving a barrel I! having a plunger 55 I8 working therein and this plunger is adapted to be tensioned by a coiled spring l9 about the pull stem 20 of such plunger which operates through a closed outer end 2| of said barrel l1 and exteriorly of the latter terminates in a hand knob22 so that the plunger can be manu- 5 ally pulled outwardly against the resistance of the spring 19 for the operation of the shooter.

The inner end of the barrel I! is formed with an upward curved muzzle 23 for the discharge of a ball 24 into the space I5 by the plunger 18. The ball 24 is introduced into the barrel I1 in advance of the plunger l8 when pulled outwardly within this barrel through an inlet throat 25 which opens upwardly through the ledge l6 forwardly of the front wall II and in this manner 5 the shooter is loaded for the throwing of the ball by its plunger.

Arranged within the space l5 forwardly of the rear wall It and rising parallel therewith is a striking partition26 constituting a back stop 20 for the ball when thrown within the space R5 in the casing A. Upon this partition 26 at an elevation within the space I5 is a basket or trap 2'! from which leads a delivery opening or hole 28 communicating with a return chute 29 25 opening into a forwardly inclined retrieving alley or runway 33 disposed beneath a forwardly inclined floor 3| within the space l5 above the bottom ID. This alley or runway 3llis diametrically disposed beneath the floor 3| and has its front end opening through the ledge I6, theopening being indicated at 32 so that the ball retrieved can be acquired by the player of the apparatus for the placing thereof within the 35 throat 25 to effect the shooting or throwing of such ball when playing the game of miniature basketball by the shooter.

The floor 3| is provided with a discharge opening 33 so that a ball when missing the basket or trap 21 when falling upon the floor will be delivered into the alley or runway 30 for the retrieving of the missed ball. This discharge opening 33 is rearwardly of a guard or curbing 34 which is arranged upon said floor 3| in a manner as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing and by such guard or curbing the ball missing the basket or trap 21 when falling upon the floor will be directed to the discharge opening 33 so as to roll within the alley or runway 30 for the subsequent retrieving of such ball.

The miniature game of basketball is played by the apparatus in accordance with certain promulgated rules and in the playing of such miniature game of basketball, there being no fouls in that all shots are straight and when the ball is caught in the basket or trap, it scores a certain definite number of points which in the aggregate or a total are significant in the winning of the game of miniature basketball.

Each player operates the shooter for the sending of the ball 24 within thespace l5 and the aim is for the ball to be trapped or caught in the basket or trap 21 and in this way a determined score is had, the team gaining the highest number in the score is the winner of the game. This apparatus is susceptible of play by two persons, one representative of one team and the other of another in competition.

What is claimed is: A game apparatus comprising a casing having transparent top and front panels, and providing a chamber interiorly, a front ledge on said casing at the bottom area thereof, a shooter including a barrel having a plunger Working therein, an upwardly curved muzzle'formed with the barrel at the inner end thereof and. projected into the chamber, a striking partition arranged vertically within the chamber remote from the said muzzle and having an elevated opening therein, a basket built on the partition in confronting relation to the opening therein and protruded forwardly of said partition, and a runway leading from the opening in the partition and also from the chamber to the said ledge and opening therethrough for access thereto, the approach of the runway with respect to the ledge being inclined toward the same.

' JAMES MORRISON. 

